NHAI to build new wider bridges at Tambaram

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon be dismantling the existing narrow road over bridge (ROBs) at Tambaram and build a wider new bridge at a cost of 25.7 crore. The existing structure, which literally acts as the city’s southern gateway, has only four lanes on both sides.But on an average, 1.5 lakh vehicles use this stretch of the Chennai-Trichy highway (NH-45) Road every day. To facilitate this traffic, the NHAI had proposed to build eight-lane bridge on both sides.The bridge, which will be built across the railway lines connecting Tambaram and Perungalathur stations, has been designed in such a way allowing vehicles to travel at 65 kmph. According to NHAI documents, the total length of the project is 2.4 km and work is expected to be completed before 2024 end.Since there are no major roads along which the traffic can be diverted during the construction phase, NHAI officials said that they have planned to build a temporary diversion road before the existing ROB on the left-hand side (towards Chengalpattu) is dismantled.